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Several stops along the 5 hr drive from Dunedin to Christchurch made for a very enjoyable day.

First stop was the Moeraki Boulders (Te Kaihīnaki) which is a fascinating intersection of indigenous oral history and deep-time geology. Whether you see them as ancient food baskets or millions of years of mineral accumulation, their presence on Koekohe Beach is a powerful reminder of how we interpret the natural world.

Larnach Castle 

While the castle itself is a marvel of Victorian architecture, the Larnach Castle Gardens are the true soul of the estate. Recognized as a "Garden of International Significance," these grounds offer a curated journey through New Zealand’s botanical beauty.

If you’re looking for a day that perfectly balances rugged natural wonder with refined relaxation, you’ve found the blueprint. Hawke’s Bay is famous for two things: its dramatic coastline and its world-class vines.

We spent an unforgettable day soaking up the best of the region, led by our fantastic host, Don Bird, whose local knowledge made every stop feel like an "insider" experience.

We had a a busy day today.  We started our morning at Whakarewarewa Forest. While many people head straight for the high-altitude Treewalk, we stuck to the forest floor—and I’m glad we did.

There’s something incredibly grounding about walking among trees that have been standing since 1901. When you’re at the base of a Californian Redwood, you realize just how small you are.  Redwoods are not native to New Zealand but thanks to the soil & rain they grow faster here.

We spent most of the day at the Hobbiton movie set, located on the Alexander farm (formerly the Anderson farm) in Matamata, about an hour outside of Rotorua. This site served as the primary filming location for the exterior scenes of The Shire in all six The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films.

For the original trilogy, the sets were temporary and completely removed after filming. However, for the subsequent Hobbit films, the production team rebuilt the set using permanent materials. This allowed the site to be preserved as a full half-day experience for visitors.

Thanks to the snow storm we arrived a day late so we had some adjustments to our schedule.  Rather than free time shortly after our arrival we took a nice coach tour of the city.  We stopped in a Devonport for a walk out to the pier and a stroll through the picturesque town.  We continued on to Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park.  He was the 1st prime minister of New Zealand 1935-1940.  The park as gorgeous views of the harbor.